Lamar Jackson:
Let’s start with the most obvious game ball for the season. Lamar Jackson is the NFL MVP front runner after smashing the single-season quarterback rushing yards record and accumulating 43 total touchdowns in 2019. The dude has been a human highlight reel.
Jackson’s progression from year-one to year-two has been startling. Across the board, the soon-to-be 23-year old improved his game. He became a smarter runner, a more efficient passer, and a safer yet electric playmaker. The bottom line he became an NFL quarterback; one that many believed he could never become.
It didn’t stop with his own performance, however, as he elevated the talent around him, as well. Rookie wide receiver Marquise Brown caught a franchise-tying seven touchdowns as a rookie thanks to Jackson’s proficiency. Tight end Mark Andrews set the franchise single-season record 10 touchdowns behind Jackson’s improved mechanics. The cast as pass catchers as a whole looked much improved and capable because of Jackson.
The run game improved drastically, setting a single-season record for most team rushing yards in a single-season behind Jackson’s team-leading 1,206-yards. Baltimore was absolutely unstoppable on the ground behind the duo of Jackson and Mark Ingram (more on him later).
The body of work speaks for itself. Lamar Jackson was as close to perfect in 2019 as one can get and he’s no doubt worthy of a game ball for the season.